A whole year!
This Tily girl is one!
And she is the cutest and sweetest and most darling little darling there ever was!
Matilda is:
... walking and talking and moving all around. She's up and down so fast I can hardly keep up! She is everywhere. She thinks she's so big, and tries to do all the things her sisters do. She climbs in drawers and up on the coffee table. She summits laundry baskets and snakes her way in, over, under, and through tables and chairs and bed posts and furniture. She's getting so confident in her movements and skills.
... so chatty! She talks a million miles a minute in the most delightful little babble. Her favorite words currently: Ma, Mom, Dad, Sisters, chocolate, milk, pretzel, cheese, tickle tickle... and water bottle - which she says with extra tongue flips and sounds just like Goldie did when she was little. It's my favorite thing!
... getting very good at communicating. She points at what she wants, she remembers where things are in our house, and has started trying to use words to help us understand. But my favorite is her head nod. When she enjoys something or when she agrees or is confirming what we're saying to her, she does this darling little nod with her head, led by her jaw. It's almost a whole body thing - she opens and closes her mouth and tilts her head simultaneously for a real emphatic "yes!"
... following suit of her sisters and popped out 4 new teeth over the past few weeks. Her cheesy little grin just melts me, and with each new tooth she looks so much bigger to me! With new teeth, she also loves all of the food. She wants to eat what everyone else is eating, and be big like her sisters. She likes to use silverware to eat, and is quite proficient with a fork. She loves cheese and fruit and nuts, and any kind of meat or vegetable. And so far, like spicy, sweet and savory alike. She's a fun little eater in out crew.
... playful. She loves to play games, stack blocks, and draw pictures. She loves to hide and play chase. She's getting really good at putting things away or back in a basket, and she loves to give kisses to all of the dolls in our house. Her new favorite is putting a big plastic bowl on her head and giggling away! She is great at entertaining herself for long periods of time. And she loves to explore! I've found her in cupboards or under beds or in an empty tub.. she's so fun!
... so happy outside! She loves being outdoors. She gets so bouncy and excited when we go for a walk or something of the sort. She kicks her legs and does this little excited squeal slash giggle and gives me so much life. Her excitement is contagious, and helps us remember all of the many blessings we have. We all love being around her!
... so taken by music. Songs will settle her right down. She'll dance to any beat she can hear. And she can't stand being left out when anyone is playing the piano - she comes right away and tries to climb and reach and have her turn to play the keys. (It's made for some fun piano lessons with the neighbor kids... Ha ha) She loves music! A girl after my own heart!
... still the most patient, wonderfully delightful girl in all the land. Watching the wonder through her eyes is exhilarating. Hearing her babbles and giggles give me new life. And her cheesy smile and beautiful grin are true sunshine to my soul.
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